*****Indiana vs Iowa Game Thread*****

[QChawks]

7pm FOX
Iowa -5.5
O/U 166.5

Indiana (13-3) comes to Iowa City winners of 5 straight. Although they’ve had a very schedule to date. That’s likely why the spread is tipped to the hawks.

I don't think the hawks can ride the second half of the Nebby game and lose 89-78.

 

[Franisdaman]

I demand that we win this game.

Thank you.

 

[Franisdaman]

If we win this game we will stay in the upper half of the conference.

9 B1G teams have 2 or fewer conference losses.

Standings:
1. Michigan (12-3, 4-0)
1. Michigan State (13-2, 4-0)
3. Illinois (12-3, 4-1)
3. Indiana (13-3, 4-1)
3. Purdue (12-4, 4-1)
6. Oregon (14-2, 3-2)
6. Wisconsin (13-3, 3-2)
8. Iowa (11-4, 2-2)
8. Nebraska (12-3, 2-2)

 

[Franisdaman]

Drew Thelwell might be available. Cooper Koch is OUT.

Across 5 games in the Hawkeyes' starting unit, Thelwell is averaging 13.6 points.

I am guessing Riley Mulvey gets some minutes against Arizona transfer Oumar Ballo, Indiana's 7-foot 265-pound center.

From linked article:

Scouting Indiana men's basketball​

After snapping Nebraska’s 6-game winning streak Tuesday, Iowa will look to take down another hot team. IU enters Saturday’s matchup having won 5 straight.

Indiana (13-3, 4-1) hit some bumps in late November, with consecutive blowout losses to Louisville and Gonzaga, serving as a harsh reality check for a team surrounded by high expectations. But the Hoosiers have lost just one game since.

Arizona transfer Oumar Ballo should present a significant challenge for the Hawkeyes, who are not exactly well equipped to adequately contain the 7-foot 265-pound center. Ballo, a wrecking ball around the basket, is nearly averaging a double-double this season.

“He’s a handful,” McCaffery said of Ballo. He’s not just a load in the post. He can pass and he looks for his teammates.”

Saturday’s matchup could very well come down to paint vs. perimeter play.

Indiana is one of the best rebounding teams in the Big Ten at 39.1 per game, while Iowa is one of the worst at 33.7. Keeping the Hoosiers off the offensive glass, particularly Ballo, will be crucial.

Conversely, Iowa is one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the Big Ten at 39.1% while Indiana is one of the worst at 32.3%. The Hoosiers as a program have struggled shooting the ball for much of recent history.

The status of Malik Reneau is an important factor for Saturday. The Indiana forward, who is averaging 14.1 points per game, has been out since suffering an injury against Rutgers on Jan. 2. Reneau is a highly productive player and if available on Saturday, would make life on the interior even more difficult for Iowa.

But since Reneau’s injury, Indiana has played more with just one traditional big, rather than two at the same time, allowing them to spread the floor. The results have been impressive. Over the last three games, almost all of which have been without Reneau, Indiana has shot 38% from deep.

If Iowa lets Indiana get hot from beyond the arc like Wisconsin did, there would be very few paths to victory for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa has won both of its home conference games so far this season in thrilling fashion. A win against a quality Indiana team, no matter how ugly, would suffice in a league where victories are not easy to come by.

All 3 of Indiana’s losses this season have come away from Assembly Hall. Carver-Hawkeye Arena has not been kind to the Hoosiers recently, either, as Indiana has lost both trips to Iowa City under head coach Mike Woodson.

Saturday presents a chance Hawkeyes (11-4, 2-2) to get back to over .500 in the Big Ten before traveling to California for back-to-back road contests (USC and UCLA).

Iowa men's basketball: Drew Thelwell, Cooper Koch status update ahead of Indiana matchup

Previewing Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball's Big Ten clash against Indiana on Saturday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

www.hawkcentral.com

 

[hawkjt]

Shocked that Hawks are 5.5 PT favorites.
We seemingly need a miracle to even eke out close win at home so far in BIG competition.
Hawks 81-80 over IU.

 

[LukaDuka]

Over / under for Freeman's playing time: 20 minutes More? or Less?

Can he stay out of foul trouble against Indiana's center??

 

[paladinhawk]

Shocked that Hawks are 5.5 PT favorites.
We seemingly need a miracle to even eke out close win at home so far in BIG competition.
Hawks 81-80 over IU.

Which Payton shows up? KenPom has IU ranked slightly ahead of the Hawks, so I'm also surprised that the spread is that big.

 

[Igor Stravinsky10]

Any update on Thelwell?

 

[Bank of Hawk]

Late tip, should be a good crowd

 

[HawkeyeGenius]

Yesterday's bracketology has Indiana as the last team in. Iowa is next four out. I hate to keep going here, but this being at home really is another must win. The margin is razor thin since Iowa doesn't have an ISU or Michigan win.

 

[hawkjt]

Yesterday's bracketology has Indiana as the last team in. Iowa is next four out. I hate to keep going here, but this being at home really is another must win. The margin is razor thin since Iowa doesn't have an ISU or Michigan win.

Agree. Almost must win territory when at home.
IU is hot. Ballo is a beast. Their McDonald's frosh can go off.
On paper we are overwhelmed.
Get hot Hawks.

 

[DewHawk]

I watched Indiana a few times and Iowa does not match up well IMO. Probably an L unless Iowa hot from 3-point line.

 

[Chishawk1425]

O/U 10k fans in arena. I'm at the Under

 

[InsaneHawkJJP]

I watched Indiana a few times and Iowa does not match up well IMO. Probably an L unless Iowa hot from 3-point line.

It’s been that way for too long.

 

[Georgia_Hawk]

Agree. Almost must win territory when at home.
IU is hot. Ballo is a beast. Their McDonald's frosh can go off. Woodson is an idiot who does less with the talent given to him than anyone else in college BB

I fixed your post.

 

[Kinnick 4 Prez]

O/U 10k fans in arena. I'm at the Under

I'll take under as well.

 

[IowaHawkIT]

I'll take under as well.

I’ll be there. Hoping a Saturday night will fill the place up.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Over / under for Freeman's playing time: 20 minutes More? or Less?

Can he stay out of foul trouble against Indiana's center??

I think Freeman needs to play more minutes than Ballo for Iowa to win. I said in another post that I hope Iowa posts Freeman against Ballo early an often, because the reverse will happen on the other end. Still haven't heard about Reneau playing, which would make IU's advantage around the basket really tough.

 

[NevadaHawk]

Go Hawks!